The Fix Live

This week you wrote that Jolly's victory is the "win that will launch a thousand storylines". Do you find it interesting that the major evening news (ABC, NBC, and CBS) all had exactly zero coverage of his win?

A: Chris Cillizza

Well, network news doesn't care about special House elections.

But, if you are political watcher/junkie, this was a really big week. Jolly winning was a surprise -- at least to me -- and a sign that Obamacare could be very problematic for Democrats in November.

Chris,
On your recommendation, I read this book, and I hated it. I found the characters one-dimensional, the plot limp, the writing juvenile, and the moral trite. I think it may be the worst book I've ever read. Please rebut.

A: Chris Cillizza

Oh shoot. I am not totally done but am enjoying it. I don't think it pretends to be a great work of fiction. It's, to me, a fun read with a great story at the heart of it.

First question: Are there any Senate rules that would govern Reid's almost-daily railing against the Koch Brothers, which is really just campaigning for his fellow Democrats? Second question: Do you think Reid realizes that he is contributing to Congress's low ratings by engaging in such crassly partisan activities? Third question: Do you think he really cares?

I need to do my taxes and put together stuff to be shredded this weekend. In other words, it is going to be rather dull. What should I watch/clear off the DVR while I do this - backlog of possibly interesting movies or Broadchurch? Does Broadchurch require more intense concentration than I am going to be able to muster while sorting financial stuff?

A: Chris Cillizza

BroadChurch is so amazing. But, you do need to watch closely. Maybe go the movie route...and then when you have sokme time, settle down with Broadchurch. It's well worth it.

HI Chris -- thanks for taking questions today. Realizing that November is a ways off, how would you assess Franken's chances for reelection at the moment? As a Minnesotan, I couldn't tell you who his challenger(s) are or what they stand for, because again it's early, but based on the sometimes twice daily e-mails I get from his campaign you'd think the election was next week and the polls were deadlocked.

A: Chris Cillizza

He is in way better shape than anyone thought he would be six years ago.

I think Republicans have an outside chance at the upset if they nominatee wealthy businessman Mike McFadden.

Much was made last year that democrats would be unlikely to add many seats in 2014. Do the same structural issues prevent republicans from adding many seats even if Obamacare is a galvanizing force among voters?

A: Chris Cillizza

Probably. The average gain for the party out of the White House in the sixth year of a president's term is 29 seats.

I don't see how Republicans could add that many seats to their current total due to self sorting and incumbent-friendly redistricting.

Well Scott Brown seems to finally be in. Leaving the question of his prospects to another chatter, I'm instead wondering: What do you think was the cause of all his dalliance? Was he truly trying to decide or merely seeking wooing and press attention?

A: Chris Cillizza

Oh, I think he was trying to make up his mind about where to run and when...

Based on demographics, when do you see Texas possibly turning blue in a Presidential election?

A: Chris Cillizza

Turning blue? Not for a long time. But being genuinely competitive? 2020 possibly and 2024 for sure -- assuming that Hispanic growth continues at or near its current pace and Republican continue to struggle to win any significant chunk of that base.

'course Reid doesn't care, Most politicians play the "I can't get anything done because of congress" that's WHY congressional approval ratings (on the whole) are so low, but individuals still get re-elected

A: Chris Cillizza

And Reid is focused on 2014 and trying to drive up the Kochs name ID in hopes of turning them into a Democratic boogeyman.

Reid can't get in trouble for what he says about the Koch brother;s because members of Congress are protected by the speech and debate clause in the Constitution which states " for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place." He can say what he wants, when he wants.
Too nerdy for this chat? Wait. That's a rhetorical question isn't it?

I agree that Debbie Wasserman Schultz deserves some kind of "award," but that should be for the most transparently ridiculous and cringe-worthy spin, with her tweet about Jolly "underperforming" in FL-13 with his win. You have to have a single-digit IQ to believe that. I'm continually surprised that DWS actually has some kind of position of authority in her party. Is she really the best the DNC has? She's so strident and humor-less.

A: Chris Cillizza

As I tweeted at the time, the spin tht this is a "heavily Republican district" is beyond ridiculous.

Obama won it twice and Alex Sink carried it both in her CFO race and when she ran for governor in 2010.

One thing in DWS's defense: She is the party chair. She's supposed to be outspoken and partisan.

All the navel-gazing about Texas turning first purple, and then blue, due to the growth of Hispanics is based on the assumption that Hispanic voters will continue to vote the same they do today in the future, even though they gain in economic stability and the percentage of business owners increases. The wealthier people get, the more they trend to voting Republican. People need to take that into account.

A: Chris Cillizza

I think there is of course the possibility that the Hispanic vote becomes more competitive. Which is why I always say that Texas turns competitive in 2020 or 2024 only if current vote patterns hold.

I would remind you of this: Most people have no idea who the Kochs are. Reid's attempt to elevate them is aimed at exciting the D base, who is more aware and more unfavorably inclined to the Kochs than the average person.

Gotta be humiliating for her, doesn't it? I mean, she was pretty close to being governor of the 4th largest state, and now she can't even get to Congress. She'll have to console herself with her millions in Bank of America money and those beautiful Gulf sunsets.

Are you following the Democratic primary election, which for all intents and purposes, is going to determine the winner of the general election, here at all? Any thoughts?
Is there any state in the country other than NJ where Democrats and Republicans conspire with each other during the redistricting process to create safe districts for incumbents instead of fighting against one another to be able to win as many seats for their party as possible?

Since you started as a political reporter, what has been the most surprising win for a candidate?

A: Chris Cillizza

When Regina Seltzer, a librarian, beat Rep. Michael forbes in a Democratic primary in, I think, 2000. Forbes had switched parties and Republicans spent a ton of dough "touting" all of his conservative positions to the Democratic primary electorate. Genius.

The result of the special election in FL-13 really shows the power of incumbency. Bill Young ran unopposed and won his elections, even when the district was voting for Sink and Obama in state-wide and national elections. They loved him.

I trust that you'll be watching ESPN Sunday night.
This may be a bit before your time, but I was actually one of the lucky ones at the "Sweater Game" at MSG back in 1985 because my father was able to get City College alumni seating because CCNY played NYU in a D-III game as game one of the double-header that night.

A: Chris Cillizza

I will. A local guy named Ezra Edelman directed it. But, it will just make me sad. The Big East that i grew up with is gone. And I just can't get excited for G'town vs Butler.

Crist a slight favborite but I am still way less than convinced that he can bring it home. Crist's campaign so far has been really uneven -- to be kind. But, Scott is so not popular in the state that even with all of the personal money he is going to spend on the race I am not sure he can turn it around.

Thanks again for tuning in. And remember, we do this EVERY Friday at 11 am. Spread the word!

Chris

In This Chat

Chris Cillizza

Chris Cillizza is the managing editor of PostPolitics and he writes "The Fix," a politics blog for The Washington Post. He also covers the White House for the newspaper and website. Chris has appeared as a guest on NBC, CBS, ABC, MSNBC, Fox News Channel and CNN to talk politics. He lives in Virginia with his wife and sons.